Halp. Ponies.

[Phuctifyno]

Well, I have a 4 year old daughter who loves the show... so I get a smug "justified brony" badge. But seriously, there's nothing to be ashamed of.

It is better than 90% of animated shows out there, for kids and adults alike, purely on a production level: solid characters, involved dialogue, interesting plots, good lessons without talking down to the audience (too much), eye-catching and highly kinetic animation (that doesn't reach ADD/seizure inducing levels), catchy songs, and jokes that are acutally funny. I could personally do without a lot of the cheesines, but the show's not really made for me. It just saves me having to roll my eyes so far to the back of my head I risk disconnecting them, like every time I have to sit through Franklin, or Toupie and Binoo, or Care Bears, or Mike the Knight, or...

Also, nuh-uh, Rainbow Dash is the best.

 

[Berithil]

Yes, another one joins the ranks. Welcome!

My first pony experience was way back during the infamous 4chan flame wars of early 2011. I started hearing about the show, and after some hesitation, I decided to give the show a shot. Watched the first episode, thought it was alright. Watched the second episode, thought it was alr- OMG IS THAT A FREAKIN MANTICORE?! AND A AESOP FABLE REFERENCE?!!

By the third episode I was strangely enthralled. Several episodes later, I was hooked.


And yes, Twilight is best pony. Period.

 

[chadachada123]

snip

Your spoiler is broken there. You might want to edit it before anybody gets the story ruined for them.

Thanks mate, fixed.

snip

"Compared to an actual little girl's show"

That is the statement that jumps out at me. If you say that you don't think it's that great of a show people say "It's for kids." And If you say it's for kids. You get attacked on all sides for saying it's for kids. Look I find it to be a fine show for kids, but I don't think it's a good show if you are over the age of 12. Look I think it fine for what it is but I don't think it's anything more then what it is.

I should have said "compared to your standard little girl's show."

But even with my original phrasing, it isn't just me that believes this. The creator of the show INTENDED for it to be watchable for adults, with adult jokes put in that you would never see in your average kid's (especially girl's) show. She also made it specifically to shy away from the standard little girl's show that treats girls like fragile little glass dolls that can only enjoy prissy things while "boys" shows have all the action, adventure, and fun.

Here's the quote from the creator herself [on people who bash males, saying that adult males can't watch the show]:

Honestly?? I feel that people who call them that are ignorant a-holes. That's how I feel.

I didn't create this show for little girls, I created it for little girls and their parents--including male parents. It only stands to reason that adult animation fans without children may like it, too.

The belief that boys shouldn't be interested in girl things is the main reason there's hardly anything decent for girls in animation--- or almost any media, for that matter. It's a backwards, sexist, outdated attitude.

(Source: http://furrymedia.livejournal.com/321145.html )

It is basically just The Powerpuff Girls in a slightly more girly coating, and it has the same occasional innuendo and references that only adults would understand and fully appreciate. It also contains jokes that are funny for people of pretty much any age.

You can not like it all you want, and I won't pretend that it's for everyone, but it IS categorically different from your average show for girls, and is intended to be a departure from shows for girls that do nothing but show hugging and rainbows. It just so happened to be really catchy to guys, too, in large part because it takes after the same cartoon shows we grew up watching.

Lauren Faust, on how normal shows meant for little girls are basically pretty darn sexist and how MLP is different:
http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/12/24/my-little-non-homophobic-non-racist-non-smart-shaming-pony-a-rebuttal/
http://blogs.laweekly.com/arts/2012/05/lauren_faust_people_2012.php

But I'm ranting, and I apologize for that.

 

[excalipoor]

These people are trying to tell you otherwise, but you were right the first time. Twilight Sparkle is best pony. Applejack is vice best pony.

I can't remember exactly how it happened, but I think it was early 2011 on the Escapist when I first saw people talking about it. Someone saying they have a little crush on Rainbow Dash, and someone replying that everybody has a little crush on Rainbow Dash. Basically, a thread about best pony bickering.

I did a quick Youtube search to see what the hubbub was about, and was sold before seeing a single episode. I was a little iffy about the first few episodes once I started watching, but by the time I caught up with the latest episode, I was hooked. While I have my complaints about seasons 2 and 3, all in all it's still pretty good.

Spoiler: Here's the two videos that convinced me that this is something I need to watch.

Spoiler: Also, have a gif, with a side of diabetes.

 

[solemnwar]

And so, another is lost to the herd...

Soon, it seems, only me and Fappy will remain.

We won't be able to repopulate, but we will try regardless.

Don't worry Daystar, I am not a fan of the show.
And I'm female! =D
...
Wait.
shit


*flee*

 

[EHKOS]

I watched some of the first season and thought it was ok. I didn't really like it but I didn't hate it. Then Discord came along and scared me. I don't watch MLP anymore.

 

[Berithil]

These people are trying to tell you otherwise, but you were right the first time. Twilight Sparkle is best pony. Applejack is vice best pony.

Oooh, so close. But Fluttershy is vice best pony. At least we both agree on best pony


Also, those videos are awesome

 

[Dangit2019]

And so, another is lost to the herd...

Soon, it seems, only me and Fappy will remain.

We won't be able to repopulate, but we will try regardless.

Don't worry Daystar, I am not a fan of the show.
And I'm female! =D
...
Wait.
shit


*flee*

Oh look everybody, Daystar has scared another women away from the boards again. (sigh)

 

[redmoretrout]

I tried to watch the show recently thinking it must be an ironic self parody of itself. But it seems the show takes itself seriously (or at least does not seem to be a parody). The humor and characters are appropriately enough are aimed at children.

I wish I got the appeal of the show, as I am always looking for new shows that I'll enjoy. But I really do not understand the appeal of it.

 

[Aris Khandr]

My favorite ponies are Fluttershy and Rarity. I had Fluttershy as my avatar for a little while, and I now have Rarity's cutey mark as a pin on my purse. I guess whichever I own a plush of first wins.

 

[Lord Garnaat]

Another convert to add to our grand Collective! Welcome brother! Our order grows strong, and can grow only stronger! Soon we shall reach our true destiny as the chosen people of the Internet, when we spread to every corner of this wretched hive and restore harmony! Ponies are the true light in the darkness of this fetid pit we call an Internet, the harbingers of the One True Path! All people shall embrace Bronyhood, and when the last vestige of hate and chaos falls, we shall be FREE!

LOVE FOR THE LOVE GOD!

FRIENDS FOR THE FRIENDSHIP!

 

[D-Class 198482]

I haven't honestly watched the show but I was considering seeing what all the fuss was about before something by the name of "Gordon Freemane" knocked me back into my indifferent state.
[sub]i have seen tiny clips of it and it doesn't seem very bad but not very good[/sub]

 

[Nazulu]

I reckon the genius of MLP is the design and animation, the pony's are cute in their slick style (and they look a little anime to me) without looking so childish it's painful like the care bears. The show also has a sweet charm to it I don't see any more on TV or the movies, it really can be heart warming with the learning and understanding.

That wasn't enough to make interested though. It was when I decided to watch another Youtube vid someone posted up on this forum to give it a second chance, that's when I saw Rarity explaining what whining is, and that was really good writing so I decided to go through all the episodes.

I'm not a brony though. I only liked half the episodes of the 1st season, and already by season 2 the writers had changed and become worse so now I don't follow it any more.

Out of all the pony's, Twilight and Rarity stood out the most to me.

 

[FatalFox]

Call me late to the party, but I saw yesterday that every episode of Mlp:FiM was uploaded commercial free to YouTube, so I decided to open up my personal Pandora's box and watch the first few episodes. Little did I know that I had gone too deep, and now I'm have to watch the next episode regardless of any feelings towards doing so. It seems that I've become a brony overnight, and I'm scared now. (hold me)

So, Escapists, describe how you got hooked on the world of ponydom. How did you watch it, when did you watch it, and why.

btw Twilight Sparkle is by far the best pony. Deal with it.

Welcome to the herd, lol.
And I got into it basically how you got into watching it, although with a lot of...reinforcement from my buddies.
three four episodes in and I think you know if the show is something for you, although I think season 2 and 3 has lowered the barrier or entry by somehow maturing their writing and jokes with the audience and still keeping it fun and lighthearted.
Keep watching man, you won't regret it

 

[Charli]

I got bored while I was drawing one evening so started it up on my second screen and before I knew it my drawing was finished and about the entire season 1 had gone by.

Then I watched the first 2 of the second season and I found I was really impressed by it all.

So it sits in my library of 'things to watch while I work'.

I'm not a brony, I've been completely unabashed at watching cartoons and cartoons that might not fit my demographic for as long as I've lived. It's another good cartoon.

 

[Thistlehart]

Dude, it's cool. I came into the fandom via PMVs on Youtube and a bunch of cracked out edits. I had the see the source material, just to know for sure the why behind the funny.

Been hooked ever since.

I just have to sort out this Best Pony issue that seems to have arisen.

Spoiler: I present to you the answer.

 

[217not237]

I honestly don't remember how I found out about the brony master race. It's kind of like The Beatles-- you just know about it at this point, nobody cares about how. It really took me a few episodes to see how great it was though. I thought it was fine, but then OBSESSION!!!

 

[Kotaro]

I'm a bit neutral about the show. It's something that I can enjoy if I catch it, but not something that I'd go out of my way to watch. I can see how it's become so huge, and I can appreciate the work put into it, but it's not exactly for me.

 

[Aglynugga]

No Hope.
No hope now.
The stars die in the sky. They flicker and fade and pass from our sight.
Nothing but darkness all about us, and it takes shape, molds itself from the forgotten and wished away.
Now we are but a few, as the shadows cover this world, and all light and love is swept away.
There is but one way to cure, one way to save what we have left. One way to cleanse ourselves, our souls, our dying world.
We must use Fire. And We must Burn the Darkness away.
We must Purify with Flame.
We will be cleansed.

 

[Little Woodsman]

Call me late to the party, but I saw yesterday that every episode of Mlp:FiM was uploaded commercial free to YouTube, so I decided to open up my personal Pandora's box and watch the first few episodes. Little did I know that I had gone too deep, and now I'm have to watch the next episode regardless of any feelings towards doing so. It seems that I've become a brony overnight, and I'm scared now. (hold me)

So, Escapists, describe how you got hooked on the world of ponydom. How did you watch it, when did you watch it, and why.

btw Twilight Sparkle is by far the best pony. Deal with it.

Okay--You're late to the party!
Aaaanyway, despite having a daughter of appropriate age for watching the show, and the fact
that one of my best friends was a fan (she's loved every iteration since she was a little
filly), I didn't pay much attention to it. Then there was a very humorous thread here on the
escapist--the title was "have you ever had someone walk in while you were...you know?" and
of course when you opened the thread the "you know" was--watching My Little Pony. Got a good
laugh, had some time to kill that afternoon (almost never happens for a single parent)
& decided to see what the fuss was about. Less than 2 minutes in to the first episode I
paused to send an email to my friend who was already a fan, saying "This show is already
*amazing*!". Watched the first two episodes. Loved them. A little pink-maned palomino pony
stole my heart with her shyness and kindness. Another character caused the
'papa bear' in me to come out with a moment when she looked absolutely terrified--causing
me to love that character forever. Due to time constraints it took me almost two weeks to
catch up with what the series had to that point (they were about 8 episodes in). In that
time I saw amazing things. Hardcore fan ever since.
BTW; I think you are approaching the question of "best pony" incorrectly. I tend to think
of it as Fwuttershy is the most "Awww" pony; Twilight is the smartest pony: Rarity is the
most glam pony; Rainbow Dash is the most Awesome pony; Pinkie is the most Fun pony; Luna
is the most "needs a hug" pony; Celestia is the most Majestic pony etc...etc...